Overview.Most people open their bowels once or twice a day and the faeces passed
are soft, dark brown and with a characteristic smell. They are mainly
made up of undigested and indigestible food, mucous membrane, mucus, bacteria
and water.

The characteristics normal faeces may vary according to age and diet. For instances, if a large amount of fluid is taken the faeces will
tends to be soft. A dry diet gives rise to hard faeces. A high
protein diet tends to make the faeces smell offensive and appear dry.
A milk diet will render the faeces dry and crumbly and pale in colour.